Don't look now, but after Jaren Jackson Jr. led the Memphis Grizzlies in scoring for most of the regular season, Ja Morant has surpassed him after his 14th straight game scoring 20+ points. Morant is now leading the team with 22.9 points and 7.3 assists, which the team needed from their superstar point guard right before a playoff run.
After losing four games in a row to fall to the Western Conference's eighth seed, Ja Morant scored 30 points, including a buzzer-beating fadeaway over Miami's Kel'el Ware, to defeat the Miami Heat on April 3rd. The victory moved the Grizzlies to the sixth position and within 0.5 games of the fifth seed in what will likely be rotating standings between five through eight for the rest of the regular season.
While the victory was needed to snap a losing streak and keep the Grizzlies in the middle of the race to avoid the play-in tournament, it also fueled their superstar point guard back into the player that many people recognized.
"I was pretty much a villain for two years now." - Ja Morant
Following the Grizzlies' loss to the Golden State Warriors on April 1st, the NBA investigated a potential issue regarding Ja Morant and Warriors guard Buddy Hield using finger gun motions toward each other near the end of their game. Ultimately, nothing came of it as the NBA issued warnings, stating the celebration wasn't intended to be violent but inappropriate.
Ja Morant's past came back to haunt him in the public eye as much scrutiny followed the announcement of the investigation. However, Morant has used that particular celebration for most of the regular season after making a three-point basket, along with his teammates. Last night wasn't any different as he and his teammates continued to use the celebration after a made three towards each other.
After "saving" the Grizzlies' season with his performance against the Heat, Morant was asked if the negative comments he's received bother him. His response was that he's used to it, he has been a villain for two years, and he doesn't care anymore. The fight to restore his image has been a never-ending battle and last night's comments and play from him proved that he is ready to embrace the role and be himself again.
For most of this season, Ja Morant hasn't looked like himself and had many wondering what the cause was. Whether it was mental with his image, the different sets of injuries, or the offense former coach Taylor Jenkins implemented this season, the version of Ja Morant the Grizzlies had against the Heat is looking to stay as the regular season winds down to the postseason.